When to feed FUZZY RATS

[rossko85]

Hey all...

Glad to be here and have got plenty of assistance and answers to my questions! Thank you again! I'm new to having a python, and I have been reading, reading, reading! Just got the enclosure all squared away, ambients, humidity, gradient, and hides/basking as well as bedding are all doing great! Got a full shed out of it after only having it after 4 days! The proof is in the pudding I would say LOL

So, with that out of the way...I was curious on some things for feeding.

Some folks say feed in enclosure, others say don't...I'm not here for an argument; plenty of those going on elsewhere LOL I would just like to know some opinions on that topic. I would also like some guidance on how to offer fuzzy rats now instead of the F/T adult mice the snake was on for about 2 weeks at the store. I'm going to go live feeding as well with the fuzzy rats. I know I need to get a prey item that is as big or slightly larger than the largest/highest girth area of my snake. I've read studies and info where the snakes actually had exponential growth patterns over a ball that feeds on hoppers or full size mice. I also have read where rats are like "snake candy"; some also say that it is hard to make the transition from F/T mice to live fuzzy rats. I figured that to start it out on rats, a fuzzy would be just the right size in comparison to a full size or hopper mouse.

What can I expect here after having the snake for about 8 days now?

The snake has acclimated well it seems so far: plenty of hiding, moving from temp grade to temp grade hides, exploring at night, drinking water, and now just kind of basking on the floor of the enclosure, which shows some confidence in the environment, and not being afraid I'd say? Snake was handled briefly last night after day 7 for about 5 minutes and seemed to be very curious and not real finicky. As the snake started to move a little more and noticeably started to look for a hide, I put it back and all is well. We offered food when we got it home; this was its feeding day according to the feed sheet, just in the small-off chance that it might of eaten....it did not, so away in the enclosure it went to wait for this Tuesday, but as I said, I did get it out for a brief time just to get it acclimated to being handled prior to feeding it. The snake now seems to have some confidence in me, as it will now go from one hand to the other when i offer it under the head...didn't really do that before when we first got it.

Any tips would be great...I'm also curious as to how I gauge the appropriate time to feed...I've read 4-5 days for babies and juveniles adjusting size of prey accordingly, and then adults once every 5-8 days?

A few more questions: How do I determine when the snake will need to switch to a small rat etc...Is this just the simple girth test theory again here? And, should I continue to offer feeders one after another until the snake refuses or I reach 4? Idk how this snake is going to take...I know it hasn't ate in 2 weeks and it had a shed, so I'm sure its pretty hungry!!

Thanks all....let it rip! LOL

[Willie76]

No need to feed outside the enclosure. You'll wind up stressing your snake out more and exposing yourself to a nip moving him back and forth. Contrary to past beliefs, snakes DO NOT become cage aggressive when you feed inside their enclosure. Do not handle on feeding day or the 24-48 hours after a meal.

Balls can live on either rats or mice. Most prefer to feed F/T rats as they have more substance for your snake. As far as prey items go, a good rule of thumb is 10%-15% of the snakes weight 1x per week (under 200 grams I usually feed 1x every 5 days, but even then 1x per week is fine) until roughly 500 grams. Get a good scale that reads in grams like the ones at Reptile Basics...

Here is a size chart when shopping for feeders. Most underestimate the size a ball can put down, but if you use the 10%-15% rule, you'll pick the right size feeders:



Give him a few days and a meal before you begin handling sessions. Handle him 5-10 minutes every other day for a week. Move onto longer handling sessions in the preceeding weeks. After about a month or two, he should know you're not a threat. Remember, If he nips at you continue to pick him up...don't worry it doesn't hurt. If you go away each time he nips, he'll see his nips as a way of making you go away. If you continue to pick him up, he'll see his nips have no effect and that trust will eventually form. Handle confidently.

[rossko85]

So these would be gram numbers as far as weight goes to feed the snake when I do the 10-15% 1x snake weight?

[Willie76]

Correct. If your snake weighs 150 grams, the rat/mouse should be around 22-23 grams (give or take...this just gets you to the right sized prey item in terms of fuzzy, pup, weaned, etc). If you're feeding mice, this would be a large mouse. If you're feeding rats, this would be a rat pup. If you get feeders at a pet store like PetSmart, look at the total weight and divide by the number of mice/rats in the box to get the average. If you order your frozen feeders online, double check their weights but they should be pretty close to the chart above. No need to weigh the prey each time. I weigh my snakes the day before feeding as this is normally when they are "empty".

[rossko85]

This is really helpful! Thank you so much! Gives me an idea on how to gage the food to the size...excellent chart! So, would you recommend just starting a fuzzy rat for the first meal with me and the new enclosure without weighing him to prevent stress? Or weigh him first then put him back in to feed? I would think to just go ahead and feed it first time or 2 at approx size/weight the store was feeding him on out of the gate...this would prevent the snake from being stressed from handling and increase the likelihood it might not eat...am I on the right track?

How many do I offer at first? Some say no more than 4 if they will continue to take?

[Kaorte]

I feed all my snakes in their home enclosures. No need to move them around. Some snakes are fine being moved, but most will just become more stressed.

As far as feeding, I second 10-15% of the snakes body weight once a week. Get a cheap kitchen scale that weighs in grams to track the weight of your snake. Then weigh your feeders to see what would be an appropriate size.

For handling, I would keep handling to a minimum until the snake starts eating consistently. I know its hard to resist so do your best. A few short handling sessions every few days will be fine. It is fairly easy to judge the snakes mood when handling. If they are moving around at a calm steady pace, tongue flicking then they are calm and relaxed. If they are moving quickly, breathing heavily or hissing.. then they are probably not to pleased with whatever you are doing On a whole ball pythons are really laid back so I don't think you will have very many issues with its temperament.

You'll get the hang of it. Its only been a week

[rossko85]

Ok gotcha! So should I weigh it prior to first feeding or no? And wait to handle anymore after it feeds first right?

[Willie76]

How long since he's eaten? If you're waiting for a scale and it's been a long time since he's eaten (greater than 10-14 days), feed a thawed, warm prey item about the size of the thickest part of your snake. Then get a scale and you'll be able to weigh your snake and be able to appropriately size their meal. You can pick up a scale at any home office supply store or even WalMart if you feel you need one right this minute (just use a Tupperware container to hold the snake on the scale). Put the Tupperware container on the scale, press the "Tare" button and it will zero out the scale so it doesn't include the weight of the container, then add the snake.

I highly recommend the ones at Reptile Basics (~$40) as they come with a container. Always remember to weigh the day before feeding day as this is when they are most empty and have finished digesting their meals. If you weigh a day or two after feeding, you'll get the snake's weight AND the rat's weight giving you a falsely high snake weight.

No holding on feeding day and give him at least 24 hours to start digesting his meal.

Like Steffe said, you'll get the hang of it...it's only been a week. If properly cared for, balls can live over 20 years. You're just getting started. Ask LOTS of questions if you're unsure...we all do

[Kaorte]

Ok gotcha! So should I weigh it prior to first feeding or no? And wait to handle anymore after it feeds first right?

It doesn't matter a whole lot, but we try to weigh when the snake is "empty". Maybe they just pooped recently, or maybe they haven't eaten recently. You just don't want to weigh right after feeding because then it will add in the weight of the rat.

I would wait to handle until it starts eating.. but its okay if you cheat a little we are all guilty of it!

[rossko85]

See it's a new snake...just have had it a week now...tried feeding as soon as we got it home as it was the original scheduled day for it to eat...didnt take which I'm not surprised...the snake hasn't eaten its first meal with me yet...it's only been a week since it's ate last...it's still getting acclimated...read the very top of my original post and you'll understand all what I mean:-) I'm in a weird spot with it right now